Mavericks Urged to Trade Anthony Davis This Offseason

The Dallas Mavericks have been at the forefront of the NBA world for the past four months. It started, first and foremost, when they shockingly decided to trade their franchise cornerstone, Luka Doncic, to the Lakers in exchange for All-NBA big man Anthony Davis.

The trade sent shockwaves through not only the basketball world but the entire sports world. It was a trade that many still find incomprehensible. Nonetheless, what is done is done, and the Mavericks still hold on to an all-world type of player.

Davis’ time in Dallas thus far has not been ideal, as injuries have marred it. The expectations are for that to change this upcoming season as the Mavericks are expected to be better and healthier. Not only do they hope to be healthy, but they also have the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft.

The expectation is that they will draft Duke phenom Cooper Flagg. With a Flagg on their radar and with him likely going to Dallas, NBA writer Dan Favale of Bleacher Report suggests that the Mavericks trade away Davis this summer.

“Building around the latter should be the Mavs’ top priority. Plopping him into a situation where, as of now, they need him to be no worse than the co-lead ball-handler of a team the C-Suite fancies a contender runs in stark contrast to that—and likely the reality of Dallas’ position inside the Western Conference.

“Make no mistake, these Mavs are deep. Even without Irving, they could be pretty good. But “pretty good” misses the point when the vast majority of your rotation is in the heart of or entering the back end of its prime.

“It makes more sense for Dallas to trade Davis for a future-focused package teeming with picks and prospects and enter the rebuilding phase they should have initiated when shipping out Dončić.”

Davis only played in nine games for the Mavericks this past season. During that time, he posted solid numbers, averaging 20.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.6 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game.

The 32-year-old remains an elite talent, but given his injury track record and sizable contract, the Mavericks may be wise to explore trade options while his value is still high and his game remains sharp.

Davis will make $54.1 million next season and $58.5 million in 2026-27. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season, which will be his age-34 season.

Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison is a massive fan of Davis. Unless others pressure him to do so, it is unlikely that it will happen, at least for now.

More NBA news: Kevin Durant Reportedly Avoided Warriors Return for One Specific Reason

Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton Breaks Silence on Suffering Brutal Achilles Tear

For more on Anthony Davis, the Dallas Mavericks and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.